Every year I see a fair few films, which I cast my critical eye over. Some of these films have been reviewed on Moliblog and mainly fall into two categories, either very good or bloody terrible. Sometimes a film comes along that stands head and shoulders above that of other films, it sets a benchmark for others to follow and to be compared against. Gravity sets a landmark in technological filmmaking history like 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), TRON (1982) The Matrix (1999) and Avatar (2009)
The films is shot in IMAX and 3D and is the first film in my opinion that really makes full use of these formats. From the first shot to the last, the imagery is mind blowing and the viewer finds themselves almost part of the action like no other film has done before. The viewer is drawn into orbit and into the story of Dr Ryan Stone played by Sandra Bullock.
The action starts right away and doesn’t stop with the wow factor till the last beat. Bullock’s pulls out the performance of her career and despite the appearance of George Clooney, the film is Bullock’s to deliver and she does just that. The director Alfonso Cuarón, allows the performers to shine without being overshadowed by the action and the revolutionary special effects that were specially invented for this film.
In addition to the story of being trapped in space and fighting for survival, is the subplot of a woman still grieving for her death of her child and facing her own death. The two shots that develop this are Ryan floating inside a space station in a the fetal position, including umbilical cord and her eventual return to earth which looked very much like a re-birth.
I can’t find fault with the film, except that it might only be viewable in the cinema with 3D and IMAX. I will be very interested in seeing Gravity on the small screen and comparing my experience to the one I had on the big screen, which took my breath away. Go and see one of the best films I’ve seen for years before it leaves the cinema. Fantastic film. FIVE STARS…
M